Peace lilies are the perfect plants to grow due to their ease of care. Peace lily plant care is relatively simple, but proper growing conditions are still necessary. Although they’re usually grown indoors as houseplants, peace lilies can also grow outdoors.
The most important part of growing a peace lily outdoors is protecting it from cold weather. If you don’t live in zones 10-11, you’ll want to use pot in pot gardening to allow you to bring it inside during the winter. Plant them in shade and the rest is easy.
Standing approximately 1-4 feet (0.30-1.22 m) tall, peace lilies are striking plants with dark green leaves and attractive white blooms. They are known for their air-purifying abilities as indoor plants, as they’re great at removing pollutants in the air like breaking down and neutralizing toxic gases. So, if you’re eager to add some to your garden, keep reading to learn how to grow peace lilies in your yard.
Maintain a Consistent Temperature
Peace lilies grow best in warm tropical climates. As mentioned earlier, the recommended USDA hardiness zone for peace lilies is 10-12, as they grow year-round. Peace lilies are tropical plants and are sensitive to cold temperatures, but will grow tremendously in climates that are consistently warm.
Suppose you don’t have a suitable climate or soil outdoors as an alternative. In that case, you can also grow these plants in pots on your shaded backyard area or deck, but you’ll have to bring them indoors once the temperature drops below a certain point.
If you’re in a border zone (9b and maybe 9a), you may be able to get away with growing them next to (within a foot or two) a wall of your house that gets afternoon sun, which will absorb the heat and keep your plant warmer overnight. Alternatively, you can grow the plant under a tree, which will keep some frost from setting in and damaging the plant as long as the temperatures don’t drop too low.
Alternatively, you can plant an empty pot (the same size as the one your peace lily is growing in and then drop the pot containing your peace lily into the empty pot (pot in pot gardening). Mulch as you usually would to keep the roots cool and cover the lip of the pot. This will look like you’re growing your peace lily directly in the ground but still lets you pull the plant up easily and bring it inside on cold winter nights.
Peace lilies usually can’t survive in temperatures below 55°F (2.78°C), as the brisk weather could damage their leaves, stems, and roots.
Plant Them in Rich, Moist Soil
Did you know peace lilies aren’t lilies? Interestingly, peace lilies are tropical perennials that can live for years, flowering over and over again. Peace lilies best survive outdoors when in USDA hardiness zones 10-12. Zones 10-12 tend to be tropical locations with rich, moist soil.
However, since peace lilies are perennial, they have the capacity to grow in the right conditions at any time of the year. This means that, no matter where you live, you can incorporate them into your garden with proper care.
Ideally, you should plant your peace lilies in an outdoor plant pot or directly in your garden soil. The best soil is one that stays moist and is well-drained, allowing for the plant to retain enough water to keep it hydrated for longer.
Choose Low Light Spaces, Which Are Optimal for Growth
When planting peace lilies outdoors, location is critical. The best areas to plant peace lilies outdoors are sheltered and protected from strong, direct sunlight. Too much sunlight on the plants can cause the leaves to burn and dry out, thus, stopping the growing process, as they can’t tolerate hot, direct sunlight.
Instead, indirect sunlight is much more effective to growing your plant.
Don’t Over Water Them
In the scientific world, peace lilies are also known as spathiphyllum. Interestingly, peace lilies don’t need large amounts of light or water to survive. Hence why they’re the perfect indoor plants for offices and homes.
But, like all plants, water is still vital for peace lilies’ growth. You need to water your peace lily at a minimum once per week unless you’re getting adequate rainfall. If you’re in a warmer place or not getting much rain, the plants may need to be watered more often. If you notice your peace lilies foliage starts to droop a bit, it’s a sign that you need to water it.
Although peace lilies like to be watered a lot at once to keep hydrated for the week, they also need a chance to dry out afterward. Giving your plants too much water can be harmful because it can lead to root rot and stem diseases. It’s imperative to make sure the plant has a chance to dry out between waterings.
If you aren’t sure whether or not your plant needs to be watered, you can lightly press on the soil to gauge the moisture level. If the soil feels damp and soft, your peace lily likely has enough water for a little while longer. If the soil feels dusty or dry, it’s probably time to add some moisture.
Fertilize Them Regularly
Peace lilies require fertile soil and can only benefit from adding compost to their soil when initially planting them in your garden. It can be helpful to their growth if you fertilize the dirt once or twice during the warmer seasons as well.
Here are the steps to do this:
- Prepare the soil before planting. You can do this by adding nutrient-rich compost to the ground.
- Dig a large hole in the ground and place the plant in the hole. The hole should be large enough to fit the root of the peace lily.
- Fill the void with the excess soil. Then, water the plant thoroughly.
- Use a general plant fertilizer regularly, especially during warmer months. Follow the directions on the package to optimize your results.
Monitor the Plants for Pests
When growing peace lilies outdoors, they can attract the likes of a few different pests, including:
- Mealybugs: These are white and have a textured appearance.
- Scale: These are light-colored and resemble saw dust on the plants’ leaves.
- Spider mites: These have a dark brown color, are very small in size, and look like tiny brown dots on the leaves.
If you notice any of these insects or pests on your plants, you must take action as quickly as possible to get the infestation under control. These pests can continuously feed on the plant sap and destroy the leaves, slowly demolishing the plant.
Conclusion
Once you’re finished planting your outdoor space with young peace lilies, it’s essential to continuously care for them for optimal growth. Although they’re super easy to take care of, remember that to grow your lilies successfully outdoors, you’ll need to plant them in rich, moist soil in warm low-light areas.
Always keep a close eye on the soil moisture level to decide when to nourish your Peace Lily with water.
